BOYS OF YOGA: ABOUT THE ASANA

Yoga is not discriminatory against gender, age, race, body image, sexual orientation...you name it, yoga embraces it. We are excited to partner with theBOYS OF YOGA, who are bringing the lighter side of yoga to men everywhere. Each week this month, we'll feature a BOY OF YOGA doing one of our favorite poses, with a rundown of each asana's benefits, variations, and styles.

About BOYS OF YOGA

BOYS OF YOGA is a project created in 2015 by Michael James Wong, a London-based teacher, Los Angeles native and yogi that aims to smash the stereotypes and misconceptions of guys who yoga.

BOYS OF YOGA isn't about the individual, it's about the intention. Like any crew in any culture, sport or community, it's the bigger the picture that counts the most. It's about what is written on the front of the shirt, not the back.

From all corners of the world, more and more BOYS are joining to help share and spread the message in their own way. The project isn't about a certain style of yoga, a certain kind of man or the ability to do all the fancy tricks and poses.......BOYS OF YOGA is about the bigger message. Yoga, is gives you benefits that better your life; physically, mentally, holistically... and usually all of that stuff serves you best off the yoga mat, not on it.

BOYS OF YOGA is an ever growing brotherhood of men from around the world who are passionate, dedicated and positive role models each in their own ways. Often people ask, "what are the real benefits of yoga?" the answer is quite simple. Yoga gives you the space to find out what serves you best....... and what serves you best is personal.

BOYS OF YOGA, the uncelebrated minority, a crew that believes in the strength and flexibility that yoga offers both on and off the mat. To us, yoga is a culture and a lifestyle, not just a practice. And similar to surf, skate and snow sport cultures, yoga creates a community of the like-minded. The deeper you go, the more it pulls you in. Once you move past the stereotype, it's pretty simple: yoga is good for everyone, the benefits are undeniable.

What started as a casual conversation about how guys are seen as the secondary citizens in the yoga scene, has turned into a movement to challenge the way we view yoga in the Western world today. Some guys think that yoga makes you less of a man, the truth is it makes you a better one.

Pose: Warrior II

Sanskrit: Virabhasana II

What’s it all about?:

Warrior II strengthens the legs, hips and opens the chest. It’s a strong posture where everything in the body is switched on an activating.

How to do it?:

_ Bend into the front leg stacking the knee inline with the ankle _ Press through the outside edge of the back foot, pressing the floor away _ Keep the belly engaged as you keep the spine aligned over the pelvis _ Spread the arms long reaching the finger tips in opposite directions _ Turn your head forward and let your eyes stare down the middle finger of your front hand Now what? Just stay and breathe.